Protection system for box car doors

ABSTRACT

A latch system for box car doors comprising a pneumatic cylinder with suitable linkage to two metal arms with hooks formed at end. When air pressure is applied to cylinder, hooks unlatch. As air pressure is released, spring returns cylinder piston to original position, thereby latching doors closed.

nited States Patent 11 1 Panici May 28, 1974 [54] PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR BOX CAR 1,147,322 7/1915 Hampton 292/220 OO 1,453,510 5/1923 Lawrence 292/201 [76] Inventor: James Pan(ijci,l'i$1 $422). Hickory Rd., O N PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Homewoo l 60 1,201,285 12 1959 France 292/227 [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 334,655 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

[52] US. Cl 292/122, 92/130, 292/11,

292 25, 292/201 [57] ABSTRACT 5 42? $9 A latch system for box car doors comprising a pneu- 292/26 48 53 122 3 matic cylinder with suitable linkage to two metal arms 6 with hooks formed at end. When air pressure is applied to cylinder, hooks unlatch. As air pressure is released, spring returns cylinder piston to original posi- [56] uNlTE g gg z r gs' gg rENTs tion, thereby latching doors closed.

658,584 9/1900 Redlefsen 292/25 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures V I 24 Ill! 1 11: 2 9 I 27 I I2 24 v lllliiiillll l1 :{j;::: @L-: 3:@-:2- z

PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR BOX CAR DOORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 2,74l,477Mercier U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,958- -Mercier SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is one object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and relatively simple latching mechanism for box car doors. v

It is also an object to provide a safe latching system for box car doors, which automatically latches when air pressure to the pneumatic cylinder is released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows mounted position of the device in a box car.

FIG. 2 is a side tion.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein is illustrated a pneumatic-mechanical latch system for box car doors designated by the numeral 10, mounted on box car 40. The latch system. comprises a pneumatic cylinder 11 having shaft 12, said shaft having male thread 12a, said male thread fitting into corresponding female thread of hollow shaft extension 13. At opposite end of said hollow shaft 13 is integrally afiixed connector 17 to which links 19 are pivotally affixed by pivot pin 18. Said connector having extensions 23, said extensions having mating hole for pivot pin 18. Links 19 are pivotally connected at 20 to locking arms 21. Said locking arms also being pivoted at 22, and having hooks 24 view of the device in the locked posiformed at opposite end. Said pivot 22 being integrally affixed to wall of box car. Inner diameter of hollow shaft extension 13 accepts rod 14, and inside diameter of compression spring 15 accepts the diameter of rod I4.-Saidspring is restrained in position between connector 17 and spring mounting hardware 16, said hardware suitably integrally affixed to box car wall.

, Cylinder ll isconnected to supply line 25, said supply line having air supply fitting -27. Said fitting accessible from outside .of box car. Check valves 33 and 35, and surge tank 34, shown schematically, are part of box car air system, preventing air loss when box car is disconnected from train. In operation therefore, books 24 latch on pins 29, when door is locked. Said pins integrally affixed to box car sliding door 30. To unlock door, when car is parked at siding, independent air source is brought to box car, and connected to air supply fitting 27,-allowing air pressure into cylinder 11. Shaft 12 moves outwardly with hollow shaft 13 and connector 17, compressing spring 15. This movement through links 19, forces arms 21 to pivot open through fixed pivot points 22, as shown by broken lines 21a in FIG. 2. Hence, doors can be opened. In latching, after door 30 is closed, pressure in cylinder 11 is relieved, spring 15 pushes shaft back and arms 21 return to original. locked position, which is, hooks 24 on pins 29. Spring 15 is mounted in a pre-loaded condition.

1 claim:

' 1. A protection system for box car doors, using an independent air source, comprising a pneumatic cylinder, a hollow shaft extension threaded onto the cylinder shaft and to which a connector is'integrally affixed, said connector being also a spring retainer on cylinder side; said hollow shaft accepting a rod whereon a compression spring is positioned and mounting hardware attached therefrom at other end of said rod.

2. A protection system for box car doors as in claim 1 wherein said connector having extension, said extension pivotally attached to one end of link, other end of link pivotally attached to locking arm, said arm also having pivot, said pivot integrally affixed to box car wall, said arm terminating in hook, said hook locking on pin integrally affixed to box car door. 

1. A protection system for box car doors, using an independent air source, comprising a pneumatic cylinder, a hollow shaft extension threaded onto the cylinder shaft and to which a connector is integrally affixed, said connector being also a spring retainer on cylinder side; said hollow shaft accepting a rod whereon a compression spring is positioned and mounting hardware attached therefrom at other end of said rod.
 2. A protection system for box car doors as in claim 1 wherein said connector having extension, said extension pivotally attached to one end of link, other end of link pivotally attached to locking arm, said arm also having pivot, said pivot integrally affixed to box car wall, said arm terminating in hook, said hook locking on pin integrally affixed to box car door. 